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 The Calabash Caye Field Station (CCFS) was established on September 27, 1995 and is Belize’s first nationally owned and managed marine research facility. The CCFS was initially opened under the Marine Research Center (MRC) of the University College of Belize(UCB) after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UCB and the Government of Belize. In August of 2000, the University of Belize (UB) was created and the MRC was changed to the Calabash Caye Field Station.Over the past decade the field station has hosted numerous visiting groups and researchers.
Since 2009, the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) of UB has been in charge of the field station providing marine science education to both Belizean students and foreign students. The ERI has also developed various monitoring and research programs which feed directly into management of the Turneffe Atoll.
The Calabash Caye Field Station, Dedicated to excellence in marine science education and research.
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The CCFS is located in the Turneffe Atoll, the largest of thre offshore atolls of the Belize Barrier Reef which stretches 280 km and is the second largest barrier reef in the world. The Atoll is located approximately 33 miles east of Belize City and covers approximately 850 sq. km.
The Field station sits on a 5 acre plot on Calabash Caye in the south eastern portion of Turneffe. Travel time from Belize City to the field station varies from 1-3 hours depedning on the vessel and weather conditions. |
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Calabash Caye has a dense cover of coconut trees, mature palm forest and littoral forest and is fringed on the lagoon side by red, black, and white mangrove species. On the eastern, exposed side, there is a well-developed fringing reef separated from the shore by shallow sea-grass beds. The mangrove, seagrass and reef habitats within the atoll are still relatively healthy and intact.
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The CCFS facilities consists of a large kitchen and dining room, lecture hall, a dorm and 2 cabanas that can accommodate 32 persons, small dry and a wet lab with a constant water flow, a shower house, a composting toilet facility, dive locker, tool and compressor sheds.
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The CCFS has two vessels for logistic support of groups and researchers. These boats are available for rental use within the atoll and are operated by a licensed boat captain.
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The purpose of the CCFS is to provide facilities for scientific monitoring, research, and educational programs with a focus on tropical marine ecosystems.
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The CCFS can accommodate secondary, tertiary and university groups for several days up to multiple weeks, depending on each group's agenda. The station can also accommodate individual researchers.
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Research activities at the CCFS are varied depending on the focus of ERI and visiting researchers, but are centered around a 5-year national research agenda for Belize that will provide critical information for management and decision making. Some recent projects conducted at the CCFS include:
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The CCFS has standard operational procedures that outline strict safety rules and requirements for visitors especially in regards to snorkelling and diving. Visitors must comply with these procedures and the instructions of the Station Manager.
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They are various fees that accomodate the usage of the Calabash Caye Field Station. These fees are centered around:
- Boat Transportation/Usage
- Usage of SCUBA Diving/Snorkeling equipment
- Lab Use
- Accomodation
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